MR imaging and anatomic study of articular cartilage of the knee joint

Abstract

Objective To compare corpse sampling and MR imaging with 3D-FS-SPGR sequences in measurement of the articular cartilage thickness and to investigate knee cartilage topography. Methods Two fresh specimens of the knee joint were obtained from 2 normal young adult male corpses of medium stature. MR1 scanning was carried on the 2 specimens in sagittal 3D-FS-SPGR MR sequences. After defrosted,the knee specimens were dissected longitudinally, and the cartilage thicknesses were measured at different locations of the knee joint. Paraffin sections of the knee cartilage were observed following compound staining with victoria blue and ponceau red. Results The average cartilage thicknesses measured by dissection and MR imaging sequence were respectively: 2. 25 mm and 2. 25 mm at the anterior weight-loading surface of the femoral lateral condyle, 2. 70 mm and 2. 75 mm at the posterior weight-loading surface of the femoral lateral condyle, 2. 00 mm and 2. 10 mm at the anterior weight-loading surface of the tibial lateral condyle,2. 35 mm and 2. 25 mm at the posterior weight-loading surface of the tibial lateral condyle, 2. 20 mm and 2. 20mm at the anterior weight-loading surface of the femoral medial condyle, 2. 15 mm and 2. 30 mm al the posterior weight-loading surface of the femoral medial condyle, 2. 20 mm and 2.45 mm at the anterior weight-loading surface of the tibial medial condyle, 2. 70 mm and 2. 95 mm at the posterior weight-loading surface of the tibial medial condyle and 3. 08 mm and 3. 15 mm at patella cartilage surface. Collagen fibers were rich at the periphery of the articular cartilage with sparse chondrocytes and matrixes, while the opposite was observed at the center of the articular cartilage. Conclusions MR imaging with 3D-FS-SPGR sequences can display the actual knee cartilage topography. Collagen fibers mainly concentrate at the periphery of the articular cartilage, which accounts for the function of the articular cartilage. Key words: Knee joint; Cartilage, articular; Magnetic resonance imaging; Anatomy, cross section